Heal Bone Spurs: Home Remedies for Bone Spur Treatment

Bone spurs can be particularly painful, which is one reason why it is important to treat them quickly. However, these miniscule growths of bone can also cause a number of other issues in your muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue. You can treat the condition naturally, though, using natural cures such as ginger, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar.

What Are Bone Spurs?

Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are excess bone that grows on normal bone. While the name suggests that the growths are sharp or jagged, spurs are typically smooth. Even though they are smooth, spurs can still cause additional damage to your other bones or soft tissues depending on where they rub together. According to WebMD, bone spurs are most common in your spine, shoulders, hands, hips, knees, and feet.

Many individuals have bone spurs without ever knowing it; however, if the growths are pressing on other bones or tissues, they can be extremely painful. Common symptoms of bone spurs include swelling, pain, and tearing in your muscles and tendons. Corns and calluses also often form over the site of a bone spur in your foot.

Can I Cure Osteophytes Naturally?

Conventional treatment often focuses on relieving pain associated with the condition or removing the spur naturally. You can use natural remedies, however, to treat symptoms and naturally dissolve a bone spur. Some of the best natural remedies for bone spurs include ginger, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar. Medical professionals, like Dr. Weil, also suggest changing your exercise routine, wearing properly fitting shoes, and reducing stress to reduce foot pain and treat spurs.

1. Ginger

One of the main symptoms associated with bone spurs is inflammation. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory, so you can use it to treat issues with bone spurs. Dr. Weil suggests a standard treatment dose of two 500 mg tablets three to four times a day for extended relief and treatment.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is another natural pain reliever. This herbal remedy contains curcumin, which helps reduce inflammation and diminish pain. To most effectively treat pain associated with bone spurs, take 400-600 mg three times a day.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

According to our Earth Clinic readers, apple cider vinegar is another effective home treatment option. One cause of heel spurs is too much acid in your body, which causes calcium deposits. ACV helps rebalance your pH levels and naturally dissolves bone spurs. The treatment also reduces inflammation. You can make a simple tonic using 1 tablespoon of ACV diluted in 1 glass of water. Drink the mixture twice a day for the best results.

Apple Cider Vinegar 40

Approval Ratings

YEA (4)

100%

Posted by Karlenn (Idaho Falls, Id) on 07/21/2014

[YEA] I had to hop on here and let you know that ACV has helped my bone spur (maybe even eliminated it?) pain 100%. I had plantar fasciitis for a year, which then created a bone spur. Through physical therapy, I feel that the fasciitis is finally gone, but the spur remained and caused a new, different kind of pain. I'm a ballet teacher and really didn't want to have surgery, because it would put me out of commission for two months. In desperation, I did a google search, found this website, and, nervous about drinking ACV, applied it topically.

I have one of those foot braces that keeps your foot flexed while you sleep, which turned out to be perfect. I would soak a washcloth in ACV, ring it out, and wrap it around the base of my heel. Then I tied a grocery bag around it (it reeks. You gotta contain the smell...)Then put my foot brace over the top of the bag. Then tied a handkerchief over the outside of the heel to keep it pressed right against the skin all night. The next morning, I could walk with zero pain. It got sore as the day progressed, but not nearly as bad as usual. I've been doing it for a week now and it has been amazing. I can dance and jump and turn with my students again. So grateful for this site and the reviews people have given. Now I have a pulled tendon on my other foot and found that ACV works for that, too. Thank goodness for ACV.

Replied by S BarringerLansing10/15/2014

[YEA] Hey, thanks for the suggestion. I'm an active person too and need to stay on my feet. This sounds like a really effective way to stay on your feet. Thanks so much.

[YEA] I HAVE BEEN VERY SICK FOR 14 YEARS, WITH ARTHRITIS AND SEVERE BONE SPURS. LAST MONTH A LADY HEARD ABOUT MY SICKNESS AND GAVE ME THIS RECIPE. 1-64 OZ.PURE APPLE JUICE, 1-64 OZ.PURE GRAPE JUICE. 1 CUP APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. MIX WELL, PLACE IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR, DRINK 1/3 CUP OF MIXTURE 3 TIMES A DAY.I WAS ALSO TOLD TO TAKE 250 MG. MAGNESIUM OXIDE,(this promotes bone and muscle health, AND 250 MG.SUPER B-COMPLEX.TAKE AS INSTRUCTED ON BOTTLE. GOOD LUCK!

Replied by CelestDenver, CO05/28/2009

Hi Jo Ann, This Apple Cider Vinegar recipe that was given to you, did it work in clearing up your bone spurs or are you still having problems? Also if you got results how long did you take it?

Replied by MaryMassapequa, New York05/11/2010

I am very curious to find out if the apple cider vinegar recipe helped your bone spur. I myself suffer with a bone spur on the back of my heal near my achiles tendon. I have been to dr. that say there is no way to treat because of the location. For some releif I was told to try gel pad in my shoes. This really does not help much. I am in alot of pain constantly. I am finding it very hard to walk. Please let me know asap. Thanks

Replied by LindaSugarcreek, Ohio05/30/2010

In response to the person who had a heel spur on the back of the heel I have THE answer. I went to a Chiropractic physician whom I told I had the problem (didn't actually know what it was-but painful). This particular doctor treated me with ultra-sound and it was gone THAT DAY! He treated it as part of my routine visit. It was painless (just warmth) and far from a surgical treatment which I hear usually fails. Not all naturopathic or chiropractic offices might do this so please check around. My help came from the Fedorko Chiropractic Clinic in Canton, Ohio. Contact to see if there is a similar situation in your area. Good luck! Linda

Replied by MaralPeoria, Il07/21/2010

[YEA] Apple cider vinegar DOES work for heel spurs. You don't drink it. Before you go to bed wet a cotton ball with ACV and rub it over your entire foot and let it dry. My chiropractor gave me this remedy. I could not even put my foot down on the floor in the morning without excruciating pain. The first morning after using it I could not only step down on my foot but I could walk across the floor. There was still some pain- comparable to the pain/discomfort you have at the end of the day after walking on it. Believe me- THIS WORKS!!!

Replied by DanielleCasselman, Ontario05/23/2011

I have a painful heel spur in my left heel and I sure want to try rubbing ACV on it and see if it'll help me. Thank you for your tip.

Replied by BrandieBloomfield, Nm05/26/2011

Please let us know if rubbing the Apple Cider Vinegar works. I am due @ the Dr.on Tues. To decide what to do with mine. Dr. recommends surgery which I absolutely DO NOT want! I have been suffering for over a year and will literally try anything right now to keep away from surgery.

Replied by LadylizaLos Angeles, Ca09/27/2011

There are a lot of things you can try. I hope the doctor you went to was a podiatrist. You don't need surgery. There are stretching exercises.. the doctor should know this but the trick is to hold each stretch for 30 seconds with 3 repeats of 10 morning and night.

Then order silicone orthotic pads from Target or Walmart (5.99) (Dr Scholls) They are arch pads (not the whole foot) and you put them in each shoe. You only need 1 pr as you can remove them nightly and change shoes. This supports your arch and relieves the pressure on the heel.

Then there is ultra sound. Podiatrists have this.. No pain. It worked once for me but not the second time.

Never walk barefoot again, and make sure the silicone pads are even in slippers. A block heeled shoe at least 1 or 1 1/2 inches high helps in the beginning take pressure off the heel. But keep using the silicone for life. Then try taking boswellia or tumeric for the inflammation. Its the inflammation that is causing the pain. No one told me this trick.. I learned it from trying it on my sore back and it works.

Forget surgery!

Replied by JulieCorpus Christi, Texas03/04/2012

I read somewhere on the internet that if you rub the foot that has the spurs with the vinegar before going to sleep it helps, going to try this tonight myself, also I have on order hydrangea root and burdock root together, it's in pill form, 1-2 pills 3 times a day, forget the time span, but you take this and it gets rid of the spur not just the pain!

Replied by CaroleMarysville, Michigan04/20/2012

If ACV can be rubbed on heel spurs, will it help with neck spurs too?

Replied by JohngBrighton, Uk10/05/2012

And how about a bone spur on an elbow? Would the ACV work for that, does anyone know?

Replied by ChopperColumbus, Ohio/usa12/26/2012

I worked in a health food store and the herbalist there always suggested enzymes for bone spurs, catch is you have to have a powerful protolectic type and you have to take 2-3 on and EMPTY stomach so they work thru-out your system and not on your food but you have to take 12-16 a day for a month or two and it will dissolve the spur where ever it is. Several customers came back in and said within a week they had relief from pain.

Replied by DhirajAhmedabad, India07/28/2013

Will it [apple cider vinigar] work with my lower spine bone spur with acute nerve pinch for both legs? Then how to use it for me. Thanks

Replied by LpTalkeetna, Ak06/10/2014

As I read so many of you saying "let me know if it works.." I wonder why you don't just try it and see if it does work for you.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackstrap Molasses, Baking Soda 00

Posted by Angela (Rosebud, Australia) on 11/01/2013

About 4 years I got a recipe for ACV, Blackstrap and Bicarb to cure spurs, which I used and it did. But now a friend of mine would like the recipe but I can't remember to the ratio and I can't find it on your site any more. Could someone please help with it. Thanks, Regards Angela

Replied by DebiLos Angeles, California12/13/2013

Angela from Australia~ I do 1 TB OACV, 1 ts OBSM and just about 1/4 ts Bicarb. I put it in hot (not boiling) water and drink as a tea every morning. Put the Bicarb and OACV in first, it will bubble a bit, then the OBSM. Sometimes I even squeeze in 1/2 lemon (good for liver/gall bladder first thing in the morning).

Also for the foot, I had a heel spur where my achilies attaches to the arch and one on the heel. I had read on here somewhere about rubbing AVC on it so I went one step further. Soak an ace bandage in the ACV and wrap the area. Then I put my foot in a large zip type plastic bag and used tape to secure at the top. The next morning I was pain free! Remember, a bone spur is a bone spur, ACV will help where ever it is located. Some places you woud just soak some type of pad and maybe tape plastic wrap to hold it in place. ACV is a little miracle in a bottle!

Replied by DigibookMissouri04/01/2014

I added some nutmeg and cinnamon and some honey for my allergies and it taste like apple cider. Wonderful drink! I hope it helps my hip spurs.

Castor Oil 00

Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 10/07/2012

I have a bone spur on one of my hips due to the stage 4 osteoarthritis I dealt with. Of course, the stem cell therapy has taken care of my hips and I am swimming quite a bit these days. So now, the hip pain is gone but my muscles get pretty sore these days! A welcome exchange, for sure!

The one thing I have noticed is, the bone spur which I saw on my x-ray when I went for my treatment is still apparent when I run my hand over my right hip. After doing research, I see castor oil can rid bone spurs. So, yesterday I began using it. I noticed that there are no posts regarding castor oil as a remedy for bone spurs here on EC. I'm excited to try this to see the results take hold.

Is there anyone out there who has actually used this castor oil for bone spurs successfully? I have used other Edgar Cayce remedies with success so I anticipate the same for this. Still I would love to hear from anyone who has actually done this. Thanks, Lisa

Replied by TracyMississauga, On11/24/2014

You mentioned stem cell treatment for your hips...can you tell me where you got your treatment and how effective it was? Also how much did you pay and where did you go to get it?

DMAE Detoxification 10

Approval Ratings

YEA (1)

100%

Posted by Sarah (Richmond Heights, CA) on 12/23/2006

[YEA] Bone spurs are often a result of fluoride ingestion, primarily from fluoridated water and/or dental treatments. DMAE detoxifies fluoride as shown by years of clinical findings at the Bioenergy Balancing Centers in California.

DMSO 20

Approval Ratings

YEA (2)

100%

Posted by Allen

[YEA] Hello, I am looking for herbs, etc, that I can use topically, and/or internally with DMSO, to reduce, or eliminate bone spur growth in my cervical spinal chord channel. I have been using DMSO mixed with natural ingredients since the mid 70's and have seen many miraculous results, both in and on my own body and the bodies of friends. Thanks for you time and efforts.

Replied by TracySan Augustine, Tx - Usa07/28/2011

[YEA] If you are using DMSO as a carrier for herbs to treat BONE SPURS topically, two of the best herbs to use are HORSETAIL (Scouring Rush) & STINGING NETTLE (Urtical Diorica). I would suggest adding the liquid extract to the DMSO instead of the dried herb. Equal amounts of each would probably be okay. Herbs & homeopathic remedies high in silica content have been used a long time to treat bone spurs & help remove them. The herbal teas of the same plants can be used internally to treat the condition, as well.

Bone spurs are caused by ineffective calcium metabolism or excess calcium. What you need to do is find some food rich with silica, such as horsetail, or get some chemical alternative such sodium metasilicate.

Thirdly, proper bone metabolism also depends on proper levels of potassium which is found in bananas and electrolyte drinks. Magnesium is abundant in leafy dark green vegetables that is taken or eaten in raw. Take also sunflower seeds (salted or unsalted) as they are rich in magnesium.

DMSO helps with absorption, but don't forget that a 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt per liter of water will also be helpful with the bone conditions. Dosages of magnesium in form of magnesium chloride is about 500-1000 mg/day. Boron is best at about 5-10 mg/day. Silica supplements is about 100 mg/day. Most people in U.S. are actually silica and boron deficiency. Israel's drinking water is high in boron which is why they have relatively low in bone spurs compared with U.S. I suspect that excess calcium and excess fluoride is a major culprit in bone spurs - everyone with bone spurs seems to use fluoride toothpaste and seems to interfere with calcium metabolism. This happens in plants also, which is why pesticides must be low in fluoride for it stunts plant growth as well.

Milk Soak 00

Posted by Kay (Destin, FL) on 05/01/2014

In response to Lynn's post from 2008:

..."I have a question and I don't know if anyone has an answer, but my brother in law has a bone chip on his ankle. He has had surgery once to "fix" it but it didn't work, the pain is back, and he is once again, walking with a cane. I don't know how big this bone chip is, but is there anyway to either dissolve the bone chip, or to get the bone chip to attach to his ankle?"

Bone spurs can be disolved by soaking in milk until they are weakened and reabsorbed into the body. To hasten & enhance the process, massage the bone spur while soaking. People with bone spurs on the feet use a tennis ball in the soaking pan and roll it around with the foot to help breakdown the bone (while soaking in milk), thereby lessing painful spurring. It can takes weeks/months of regular soaking depending on the size/loction of the spur.

Mimosa 00

Posted by TAN KOON PENG (SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE) on 06/20/2008

Mimosa is useful for bone spur. It is also useful for detoxing our body of toxins. It is an effective Cancer Killer as it can get rid of toxins which is one of the main cause of Cancer. Our body when clear of toxins can function well and allow our immune system to effectively kill the Cancer cells naturally.

For Medical uses, the pink flower, red stem type of mimosa is most useful. All parts of mimosa can be used to treat Cancer but the most important part is the roots. Mimosa can be soak overnight for easy washing. Mimosa should be cook in very low flame for 2 to 3 hour as this process can get rid of the mild toxins in this useful plant.

18 red dates and 12 slices of old ginger should also to added for better results.This herbs should be taken on empty stomach for best results.If you are not a vegetarian, you can also add some garlic for better results. After taking this herbs patients can expect to pass out black and smelly feces.

Please share with others if you have any feedback after using this herb.

Replied by BeeBaltimore, MD10/18/2008

Hi Tan, I saw your information regarding bone spurs on Green Earth and your response in your posting that Bone spur patients are to abstain from kang kong, carrot, banana, celery, peanut. How do these affect bone spur patients. Is this remedy safe to take with other medications?

Multiple Remedies 20

Approval Ratings

YEA (2)

67%

SIDE EFFECT (1)

33%

Posted by Arshia (Woodridge, Ill, Usa) on 04/01/2013

[SIDE EFFECTS] Hi, I need some advice on my pills I'm taking, I'm 37 went to dr for pain in neck found out its a bone spur due to bad posture of my neck as I am a hair stylist always tilting on one side and I have doing it for almost 9 years.

I started DMSO rubbing twice a daymagnesium 500 mg once a day2 pills of vitamin C 3 times a dayLysine 1000mg Once a day and ACV 2 twice a day.

Now I have noticed that my joints keeps cracking and makes noise and my left arm muscles hurt a lot as if someone is pulling from inside. I my calcium ok or what should I do. my feet hurt a lot and feels tired at all times.

Am I doing anything wrong, it worries me, Ted please guide me with right amount or if I'm missing on anything. Please reply soon. Ty for the feedback and comments would be really appreciated. ty again.

[YEA] I am 45 and I have bone spurs on my spine, feet, and hands. One bone spur on my right thumb ruptured in 2002. I lost some function in my right hand to the point of getting my thumb caught and broken twice. I was 380 pounds, pre-diabetic, and walking on broken bones in my feet quite often (Lots of broken toes and my right ankle). Last October 2009 I was hurting and could not breath (Darth Vader had more stealth then I did).

I am a man that should be in his prime but I was unable to work. My ego was more then broken.

I found the solution and in the last 6 months I've been experimenting to make sure its the real deal. Here it is:

First- Vitamin D3 6000 IUs a day (get a non-oil preparation)

Second- No oils, No fried food, No deep fried food, and NO MARGARINE of any kind

Third- No soda of any kind (lowers body pH for 36 hours)

Fourth- Lots of eggs, butter, and avocados real fat (if it won't rot in three days or less don't eat it)

Fifth- Meat needs to be cooked under 210 Degrees for a longer time to keep the fat body ready (the flavor and texture is so much improved anyway).

Sixth- There is no such thing as an essential carbohydrate sugar, starch, or fiber (think of these as fertilizer for good and bad bacteria and fungi in the intestines and body) Celiac and Fungi both produce a intestine damaging protein that stops mineral absorption. If eating the fiber gluten doesn't trip it sugar feeding a fungi may. This intestinal distress can last 2 weeks per episode of gluten eaten.

Seventh- Body pH is the problem. Your bones are part of the body's endocrine system. the bones bank minerals for use in hormone production. however they also dump large amounts of calcium into the blood stream to counter low blood pH if needs be. Bad fats (even bottled olive oil) and carbohydrates lower body pH causing such an event.

Eighth- Eat salt, good sea salt, you need salt to make hydrochloric acid to digest food and absorb minerals (chloride ion from salt). You need sodium bicarbonate made in the pancreas and kidneys to get the minerals to the cells. (sodium from salt)

Ninth- get 60 essential minerals, 16 essential vitamins, 12 essential proteins, and 3 essential fatty acids daily. I have been using a supplement with a good balance. But, I have 7000 to 12000 MG Calcium with Boron, copper, and the rest in combination with clean gelatin to rebuild my bone matrix and tissue.

Tenth- I drink high pH waters with an ORAC count below -300. I also drink (Ferric Ferrus salt in my water) This salt in an aquarium will support both salt water and fresh water fish simultaneously in the same water for years.)

Eleventh- to get my fungi under control I've been using 1 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate in 8 or 12 Oz water every morning for 1 month then off for 2 weeks then 1 more month.

Twelveth- eating less good food daily keeps the body from taxing pH reserves and builds bones back faster. Bone spurs are a symptom of osteoporosis. It can be healed in 6 months (documented). I've made progress I can walk again and my weight is falling off, My diabetes went away, and I haven't broken a toe in months still fighting with the fungi. Gluten hides in a lot of food. Just a little stops the bones healing until my guts heal in usually two weeks per episode.

More notes:

Pasteurized milk will not help but hinder the healing of bones. Raw milk has a balance of enzymes, proteins, fats, calcium, and other minerals and vitamins, However, pasteurizing milk kills the enzymes throwing the amino acid (protein), fatty acids, and mineral pH (Calcium and other minerals) out of balance in so much that it requires additional calcium and minerals to now digest the milk.

Homogenized milk imbalances the minerals and fatty acids even more as once homogenized milk fat no longer needs to be digested to leave the intestine wondering in the blood stream unsupervised.

Replied by BancheckIdaho Falls, Idaho04/14/2010

More notes:

Exercise can be over done. Exercise dumps multiple forms of acid into the body that then needs to be neutralized. Exercise is more of a result of good body pH balance and not a cause. Large muscle masses require small high pH meals to maintain them over the essential amino and fatty acids required to heal them from the damage of exercise in order to preserve bone and maintain pH reserves.

Fat comes from carbohydrates and poor pH reserves. Fat is what happens when acidic foods are dumped into the blood stream without the calcium to burn them. Increase the calcium and fat disappears.

For more information on how to live a very long healthy life look for books by Dr Joel D Wallach His work as I've tested it so far in combination with a few other things holds water.

Replied by RedbirdMontgomery, Alabama11/14/2010

Hello I just read your suggestions for bone spurs. Two questions. Will this work for neck bone spurs and please tell me about the brand of vitamins you talk about! Thank you much. My husband is suffering and you gave me hope!

Replied by KarenNuevo, Ca Usa08/10/2011

[YEA] This is to Bancheck in Idaho Falls... I sympathize with you. I walked for several years with my foot bones continually broken to some degree... Heal... Then re-break again. Dmso has worked miracles for me. Can take it internally 5 drops in a glass a day or make a 70% dmso and 30% carrier oil and spray where it on 3-4 x day. If no sensitive skin can apply straigtht to skin. Look at Dmso.Org.Nz. This stuff has done miracles for me and my horse too. Good luck. I too have changed my diet similar to yours and yes that has helped so much. No meat. Similar eating habits to the Garden of Eden. Ironic, huh? Garden of Eden heals and mans habits of eating cause disease. Those of us, like you and me, are figuring this out and changing.

Plumbing Washer 10

Approval Ratings

YEA (1)

100%

Posted by Ross (New York, US) on 09/05/2014

[YEA] Heel spurs are the easiest to remove and I mean remove. No operation needed. Just get a plumbing washer that fits comfortable, tape it to your heal exactly centered to the bone spur with duct tape.

Pain will be gone, and you will feel just a mild discomfort. After about two weeks (the more you walk or run the faster the results) you will see a white spot in the middle of the washer. Walk another couple of days just to be sure, then remove the washer, get a good sterilized needle, go into the white spot (you will hardly feel anything) about half inch and come out. Now squeeze the entire heel moving toward the center of the white spot and out comes the calcium that was misdirected because you did not take enough magnesium and vitamin K.

Turmeric 00

Posted by Nina (West Palm Beach, FL) on 07/17/2009

Hello-I am SO happy to have found this site!!! I am really suffering from bone spurs in my neck, and have just started putting one tablespoon of tumeric in green iced tea.. I am a muralist, and have to paint lots of ceilings... Has anyone else out there have more suggestions besides the tumeric? As much as I would like to stop doing such physical work, I have no choice in todays' economy! Thanks - Nina

DISCLAIMER: Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.